Chile: The Lone Star

Chile is sometimes called La Estrella Solitaria, “The Lone Star,” for the single celestial body on its tricolor flag. When the bandera was first adopted in 1912, however, its designers probably had no idea that Chile would one day boast the finest skies for stargazing in the world.

The high deserts of Northern Chile, are the driest on the planet; parts of the Atacama haven’t had a drop of rain in the four centuries since records have been kept. There’s very little moisture between you and the deep blue, and at altitudes ranging to 4400m (14,400ft) and peaks of 6885m (22,589ft), you aren’t that far from outer space to begin with.